Author
Topic: Purchasing bees for the first time - When? (Read 4001 times)

I know to start in the spring after the last freeze, but when do I actually order bees? I have done some browsing and see that many sites (still a bit outdated?) that read "Sorry sold out for 2008 season". I am wondering if I have to order very early and the bees will ship in April or how does one actually go about doing this? I am still reading books about starting bee keeping but don't want to miss out on getting bees for next season!

It is best to contact your supplier early. I have already ordered packages from my supplier two weeks ago, for pickup on the first week of April. You could probably wait until Jan. or so, but most don't charge you until you pick them up anyways, so I wouldn't take a chance. If you could find a supplier locally that you could pick them up that would be best, many times they show up with alot of dead bees. Also, I would recommend starting with at least two packages, if its your first bees. You may find it to be beneficial to the survival of the colony, I did. Hope all goes well, Daniel

hey jeremy! Welcome to the forums!! Just to be safe, I would place your order now. Last spring,( The spring before the one we just had) I ordered mine in November. I got my two packages at the beginning of April. I dont know if I coulda waited another minute for my bees to get here! Ordering is the first step...Then learning patience is the next step.THATS what you'll learn for the next 6 months while waiting for the bees!!! Of course this advice only pertains to you if you want to go the "Package" route....You might find somebody between now and then that has bees close to you and can help you out..I suppose If you got a complete hive now thats all prepared for winter, that would be cool.. Its kinda cutting it close now for you as its pretty close to being winter where you live, isnt it?..Somebody else here closer to you will chime in and tell you right, just to be sure, I bet! Keep on reading stuff though.....You'll find tons of information here in the forums!!

.....The greatest changes occur in their country without their cooperation. They are not even aware of precisely what has taken place. They suspect it; they have heard of the event by chance. More than that, they are unconcerned with the fortunes of their village, the safety of their streets, the fate of their church and its vestry. They think that such things have nothing to do with them, that they belong to a powerful stranger called the government. They enjoy these goods as tenants, without a sense of ownership, and never give a thought to how they might be improved.....

I think most suppliers will only take orders after the 1st of the year. I know that Brushy Mountain starts taking their orders (pick up only) in late January or early February. I ordered my two packages last February for late April pick up. Everything went fine!

Logged

"Don't know what I'd do without that boy......but I'm sure willin' to give it a try!"J.D. Clampett commenting about Jethro Bodine.

WWW.Queenright.com : They get theirs from CA. I picked up at their locale (Spencer, OH) last year. They were a month later than expected, but by no fault of theirs. Since I am a first year beek, I can't speak for the quality of the bees. We will see in the spring. Definitely start with at least 2 packages.

Clubs sometimes sell packages too, local or not. My local club, for example, takes orders and makes a package run around Easter. They will often have a few extra packages as some people may back out last minute, or will be able to get a few extra last minute if you need them.

It is something to keep in mind in case you get in a pinch and can't find any.

Irwins RIGHT! This is gonna bee the closest thing for you to be a kid at Christmas again! Maybe better!!. I think, when i got my bees, that was the most emotional and fun experience of my life. I think the wait had to do alot with what I dealt with. I've mentioned in here in earlier posts, that the day i picked up my bees was comparable to Lassie coming home in the movies! I was almost bawling I was so happy! All over 2 little crates of BUGS! They were next to me in the front seat of the truck, just mildly humming away. There was even 1 little bee holding onto the outside of the cage who i assumed had stayed on the cage all the way from Navasota just to be with his family!Ohhh, Happy Day!!!

Thanks Guys, I just ordered bees from QueensRight. Now anxiously awaiting for the 1st week of April. It was -11f here this morning when we woke, so spring will be welcomed for more reasons than just my first bee keeping season.